ARC Audio ARC Series Owner's manual

Brand: ARC Audio

Model: ARC Series

Category: Subwoofers

Type: Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

ARC SERIES SUBWOOFER

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ARC Series

HIGH PERFORMANCE SUBWOOFERS

WWW.ARCAUDIO.COM

DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS

ARC 15D2

ARC 15D4

ARC 10D2

ARC 10D4

ARC 12D2

ARC 12D4

ARC 8D2

ARC 8D4

1”

25mm

BACK OF ENCLOSURE

Amplier Power Range

Sensitivity 1 Watt @ 1 Meter

RMS Power Handling

Musical Power Handling

Displacement (cu.ft)

Magnet Diameter 6 1

/2"

4 7

/8"5 1

/2"7"

Outside Diameter 8 5

/16"10 1

/4"12 3

/8"15 3

/8"

Total Depth 5 1

/4"6"6 5

/8"9"

Mounting Depth 4 3

/4"5 1

/2"6"8 1

/8"

Cutout Diameter 7 1

/8"9 1

/4"11"13 7

/8"

.04 .05 .07 .17

5-300 5-500 5-700 5-1500

300 Watts 500 Watts 700 Watts 1500 Watts

150 Watts 250 Watts 350 Watts 750 Watts

85.4dB 87dB 89dB 89dB

Discontinued

For Reference Only

ARC 8D ARC 10D ARC 12D ARC 15D

Dimensions And Specs 1

Recommended Enclosures

ARC 8D 2

ARC 10D 2

ARC 12D 3

ARC 15D 3

Useful Information 4

Calculating Enclosure Volume 4

Speaker Parameters 5

Series Vs. Parallel Wiring 5

Wiring Options 6

Warranty 6

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ARC 8D2

ARC 8D4

Minimum Optimum Maximum

Volume

(Gross)

Port -

(Single)

Dimensions

Tuning Freq.

Volume

(Gross)

Sealed-

Ported-

2”

(Round port)

2”

(Round port)

2”

(Round port)

13.5”

(Length)

4.5”

(Length)

12.75”

(Length)

35Hz 32Hz44Hz

.5 cuft .75 cuft .7 cuft

.55 cu.ft..35 cu.ft. .45 cu.ft.

NOTE: These woofers are not limited to the enclosure designs below. Full

parameters are provided elsewhere in this manual for modeling purposes. For

assistance designing custom enclosures contact ARC Audio Technical support.

RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURES

Minimum SPL SQ

Minimum Optimum Maximum

Volume

(Gross)

Port -

(Single)

Dimensions

Tuning Freq.

Volume

(Gross)

Sealed-

Ported-

3”

(Round port)

3”

(Round port)

3”

(Round port)

13.5”

(Length)

6”

(Length)

18.5”

(Length)

40Hz 25Hz44Hz

.75 cuft 1.25 cuft 1.6 cuft

.85 cu.ft..65 cu.ft. .75 cu.ft.

Minimum SPL SQ

ARC 10D2

ARC 10D4

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NOTE: These woofers are not limited to the enclosure designs below. Full

parameters are provided elsewhere in this manual for modeling purposes. For

assistance designing custom enclosures contact ARC Audio Technical support.

RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURES

Minimum Optimum Maximum

Volume

(Gross)

Port -

(Single)

Dimensions

Tuning Freq.

Volume

(Gross)

Sealed-

Ported-

3”

(Round port)

4”

(Round port)

4”

(Round port)

12.5”

(Length)

7.0”

(Length)

26”

(Length)

32Hz 24Hz42Hz

1.3 cuft 2.0 cuft 2.25 cuft

1.25 cu.ft..9 cu.ft. 1.1cu.ft.

Minimum SPL SQ

Minimum Optimum Maximum

Volume

(Gross)

Port -

(Single)

Dimensions

Tuning Freq.

Volume

(Gross)

Sealed-

Ported-

4”

(Round port)

X2 4”

(Round port)

X2 4”

(Round port)

19”

(Length)

4.75”

(Length)

14.5”

(Length)

32Hz 24Hz42Hz

3.0 cuft 5.0 cuft 6.0 cuft

4.0 cu.ft.1.5 cu.ft. 2.25 cu.ft.

Minimum SPL SQ

ARC 15D2

ARC 15D4

ARC 12D2

ARC 12D4

Discontinued For Reference Only

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Useful Information

Ultimately the enclosure you build determines the performance

of your subwoofer. The size and port tuning frequency of a

ported box determines the low-frequency extension and output

of the subwoofer. This ARC Audio subwoofer is designed to

performs well when used in both sealed and ported enclosures.

The acoustics of your vehicle influence bass response. The

small interior size of most cars and trucks boosts low

frequencies dramatically. A smaller enclosure then normal may

be needed to achieve a flat bass response. As a rule, below

50Hz (depending on cabin size), bass response increases at

about 12dB per octave as the frequency decreases. This "Cabin

Gain" adds significant bass output to the subwoofer system.

Recommendations are included in this manual for both sealed

and ported enclosure types. The sealed enclosure design will,

in most cases, give you the best sound quality and take up less

space in your vehicle. The ported box design will offer more

output then the sealed enclosure (about 3 - 4 dB more), but it

will reduce the power handling and require more space to

install. The recommended ported enclosure is not designed for

“competition SPL” performance, it is designed for normal

listening. It will increase the low frequencies output and

increase the overall volume while still sounding good when

properly tuned and installed.

A Note About Power Handling

ARC Audio woofers are designed to perform for years without

any problems. The RMS power noted under the specifications

is the recommended continuous power for long term use. All

woofers generate heat. It is possible to dissipate only so much

of this heat. The woofer can handle as much as twice its rated

RMS power for short periods. This is the MAX power rating.

Continued use of this woofer at greater then the RMS power

rating will result a damaged (burnt) voice coil. This damage is

considered abuse and is NOT covered under the warranty.

Small Amp Myth

Under powering a woofer is fine. This woofer will suffer no

damage from a 100 watt amp if it is correctly tuned. However,

even a small amp that is being over driven (clipped) can destroy

a sub. Use your power wisely. Clipping can be heard as a dull

thud or a popping sound. If you hear any change in the tone of

your subwoofer this is a danger sign. TURN IT DOWN. If you

want more volume get a bigger amp or add another woofer.

Physics

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only change forms".

What does this mean? Your amp does not make power, it takes

power from your battery and converts it into a different form.

The subwoofer is just another kind of converter. It changes AC

voltage from the amp into changes in air pressure (that's all

sound is) and HEAT. The more energy being converted the

more heat. A speaker can not reproduce DC voltage (produced

when an amp clips) but this energy must go somewhere. It is all

converted into heat. This is why clipping is so dangerous to a

speaker.

A great deal of energy can also be lost in the enclosure. If your

box is not strong enough the sides will flex. It takes energy to

flex the box. This energy is not being converted into sound. In

short, the stronger the box the less energy will be lost.

So build it strong.

This same thing can happen to the car body. Sound deaden, it

will sound better and hit harder.

Building an Enclosure

It is recommended that you use 3/4" MDF (Medium Density

Fiberboard) to build an enclosure. Glue all your joints with

yellow glue and secure then with screws or nails.

Make sure the enclosure will fit and that you have adequate

room to get it in and out of the vehicle.

Calculating Enclosure Volume

It is difficult to give exact box dimensions that are universal

for all cars and trucks. It is for this reason that you must be

able to calculate the space in which you have available in

order to achieve the proper air volume required.

Calculating External Volume

1) To calculate box volume, measure the outside Width x

Height x Depth of the enclosure.

Example 12" x 14" x 9" = 1512 cubic inches.

2) Next convert cubic inches into cubic feet. To do this, you

must divide the cubic inch total by 1728 .

Example 1512 cu in

1728 = .875 Cubic feet.

Calculating Internal Volume

1) To calculate the internal (net) volume of the above box

first multiply the thickness of the wood you are using by Two

(2).

Example: ¾" x 2 = 1 1/2"

2) Next subtract 1.5" from each of the outside measurements

of the box. Width 12" -1.5" = 10.5" . Height 14" -1.5" = 12.5" .

Depth 9" -1.5" = 7.5"

3) Multiply the new totals (H x W x D)

Example: 10.5" x 12.5" x 7.5" = 984.375 cubic inches.

4) Now convert cubic inches into cubic feet. To do this, you

divide the cubic inch total by 1728.

Example 984.375

1728 = .5696 cubic feet.

For additional information call ARC Audio Tech support at:

209-543-8706

USEFUL INFORMATION

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SPEAKER PARAMETERS

Qes Electrical "Q"

Qms Mechanical "Q"

Qts Total "Q"

One way Linear

Xmax (mm)

Sd (sq.in.) Cone Area

SPL (dB) 1 watt @ 1 meter

RMS Power Continuous

MAX Power Music

Vas(cubic liters) Equivalent Volume

Re DC Resistance

Fs Resonant Frequency

IMP Impedance

2 or 81 or 42 or 8

1.95/7.8

24.7Hz

1 or 4

.95/3.8

22.7Hz

1 or 4

1.00/4.03

23.8Hz

2 or 8

1.95/7.81

23.5Hz

1 or 4

1.01/4.04

22.8Hz

2 or 8

1.97/7.88

23.2Hz

.317

3.331

.289

48.14L

35.80sq.in.

15mm

85.4dB

150 W

300 W

.367

3.572

.332

43.89L

15mm

35.80sq.in.

85.6dB

150 W

300 W

.431

4.094 3.680 3.830

.390

45.75L

15mm

72.85 sq.in.

250 W

500 W

250 W

500 W

350 W

700 W

350 W

700 W

.90/3.6

20.4Hz

1.8/7.2

20.5Hz

.443 .431

2.460

.375

282.88L

130.2 sq.in.

89dB

750 W

1500 W

750 W

1500 W

.533

.468

76.28L

130.2 sq.in.

.469.455

2.7623.870

.373.416.407

279.77L74.43L48.37L

15mm

49.60 sq.in. 49.60 sq.in. 72.85 sq.in.

89dB89dB

8D2 15D415D28D4 10D4 12D2 12D410D2

16.83511.605

148.628g158.537g

Krm

Cms

Mmd

Mms

BL 12.48815.447

108.992g118.901g

141.992m Kg151.900m Kg105.286m Kg115.194m Kg

17.472m Ω14.406m Ω14.406m Ω9.590m Ω

0.798 0.8120.8270.819

Erm

101.767 mH39.393 mH119.616 mH58.532 mHKxm

0.6540.7060.6300.654Exm

241.576u M/N226.478u M/N249.199u M/N262.642u M/N

0.257 %0.200 % 0.185 %0.200 %

87dB

16mm 16mm 18mm18mm

87dB 89dB

8D2 15D415D28D4 10D4 12D2 12D410D2

EXTENDED PARAMETERS

WOOFER WIRING

Series Wiring

Ohm Load Goes Up

Parallel Wiring

Ohm Load Goes Down

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Note to International Customers-

For warranty and repair service outside of the USA, please send your product directly to your countries authorized Arc Audio distributor for your service needs. As a customer you

do have the option to send your product directly back to the factory in the USA but you will be responsible for "ALL" shipping costs, taxes, and duties to and from the USA. Return

shipping charges and fee's must be paid by Credit Card with a signed credit card authorization form prior to the return shipment. This includes shipping cost, customs fee's, duties,

local and government import/export tax's, broker's fee's and any other misc. fee's that could be added by your local government or other international agencies. International

warranty shipments will not be accepted without a proper return authorization number and/or sales receipt documentation.

ARC AUDIO WARRANTY AND SERVICE GUIDELINES

ARC AUDIO warranties all new products against defects in material and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the original date of purchase from an

AUTHORIZED ARC AUDIO RETAILER.

This warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original retail purchaser of the product from an authorized ARC AUDIO retailer. Upon inspection by ARC AUDIO, should

services be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacture defects, ARC AUDIO will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace the defective product with new or

similar conditioned product at no charge.

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER INSTALLATION OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ACCIDENT, MISUSE, ABUSE, IMPROPER WIRING, OPERA-

TION OUTSIDE OF UNIT OUTSIDE OF MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS, OR AGAINST INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL. IN ADDITION ANY

PRODUCT THAT HAS BEN OPENED, TAMPERED WITH OR MODIFIED, IF ANY SERIAL NUMBERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED OR ALTERED THE EQUIPMENT

WILL NOT BE COVERED BY ANY PART OF THE MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY.

All warranty returns will be sent to ARC AUDIO freight prepaid and must be accompanied by proof of purchase (a copy of the original sales receipt). Direct returns from

consumers or non-authorized retailers will be refused unless specifically authorized by ARC AUDIO with a valid return authorization number.

All warranty returns must be packed in original packaging and be accompanied by a copy of the original printed sales receipt. Product damaged in shipment will not be

covered under this warranty and the customer or retailer will be charged full cost to repair the specific piece of product back to a like new or similar condition.

In no event will ARC AUDIO be liable for incidental, consequential, or other damages resulting from the use of this product, this includes but is not limited to, damage of

hearing, property or person, damage based upon inconvenience or on loss of use of the product, and to the extent permitted by law, damages for personal injury. This warranty gives

you specific legal rights, you may have other rights, which vary from state to state. This warranty applies to products sold and used in the United States of America. In all other

countries please contact your distributor.

WIRING OPTIONS

WARRANTY

REV 1.06 040115 Clarkson

ARC Audio

4719 Greenleaf Cir

Modesto, CA 95356

Tel: 866-258-0288